Exploiting Hollywood 1980

"Annette..." Ronald came to Annette Bening's apartment and brought a bottle of red wine from Joel Silver as a door-to-door gift.

"Ha... I'm here," Bening, wearing a light green apron, came out to open the door. "I'm glad you can come. I made delicious food." Then he kissed Ronald gently on the corner of his mouth.

"My favorite Bordeaux red wine," Bening looked at the red wine and put it on the table, "You watch TV first, I'll be ready soon."

"Okay, you go first," Ronald felt very comfortable and sat on the sofa. Such a conversation was very much like the feeling between familiar friends and lovers, although Ronald had only met Annette Bening once.

From the back, Annette Bening's waist was very thin, and her white round-neck T-shirt was tucked into her black pants. The charm in front, which was covered by the apron, was constantly radiating as she twisted her back and walked into the kitchen.

Ronald turned on the TV, and the local KT TV Channel 5 was reporting entertainment news.

"Following the final offer made by the Producers Guild in early March, the Producers Guild made another 'final final offer' yesterday. Walton, the negotiating representative of the Writers Guild, said that the union's negotiating committee will carefully consider this offer. At this stage, when the negotiations are about to make a breakthrough, the union members need to unite more..."

"You know you're giving in now?" Ronald looked at the negotiating representative who looked like a charlatan on TV and felt amused. The Producers Guild had held an emergency meeting the day before yesterday, and added some concessions to the final offer last time. The new settlement agreement was voted through with the approval of most representatives.

In addition to giving tens of millions of dollars to the Writers Guild as compensation for the previous three years, two clauses were softened. The first is to agree to a unified rule that all TV programs broadcast on TV for more than one hour will automatically receive the remaining dividends.

In fact, the most unhappy about this clause are the TV station owners. They complain that some programs have poor ratings. If those programs are determined to enter the dividend pool based on time rather than ratings, they will have to pay for a bunch of garbage.

But in the Producers Guild, the voices of TV stations are a minority. Although they are rich and powerful, a large number of small and medium-sized production companies still hold the majority of votes. In addition, the most uncomfortable thing about the screenwriters' strike is the TV production department, which has the greatest demand for scripts.

Therefore, this article was passed without any doubt.

The second article was proposed by the Writers Guild, that screenwriters should have the power to negotiate the selection of actors and directors for certain projects. This article was opposed by most producers. Many small producers were founded by directors like Ronald, and they don't want screenwriters to dictate their casting.

However, Nick Kuhnt, the president of the union, came up with an additional clause, that is, the producer has more power to decide the number of signed screenwriters in the crew. In other words, the producer can have greater power to decide the signature power of others besides the original screenwriter (who must be signed according to the law), such as the script doctor and the editor.

In other words, after giving the screenwriter some unclear powers, the producer is given greater power to decide who can sign the script. In this way, experienced producers know how to play games here and invalidate the screenwriter's power to influence casting on paper.

As long as the two clauses are tied together and must be passed together, it is okay to agree to the whimsical powers of the Writers Guild.

If there is a screenwriter whose influence is so great that the director and producer cannot check and balance him, then in most cases he is also a strong best-selling author or Broadway playwright, and such a person should be involved in the casting of the crew.

The strike has been going on for a long time, and many screenwriters have no income, their savings are almost gone, and the little relief issued by the union is about to run out. Soon Hollywood actors will hold a charity auction to keep the screenwriters alive.

Ronald smiled at the TV, thinking that the strike will end soon, and now he has to hurry up and finalize the script of "Steel Magnolias".

Ronald contacted Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis, two actresses, who had no new films to shoot after the strike. Ronald happened to bring this blockbuster with female characters, and they were all happy to participate.

Of course, the most important thing is to get the heroine. Ronald listened to some advice from his agent Nicita. Now the most appealing Hollywood actresses are Michelle Pfeiffer and Sean Young. Excluding the crazy Sean Young, it's time to invite Michelle Pfeiffer to come out and make a movie directed by himself.

"Okay, we can eat."

Just thinking about the opportunity to direct Michelle Pfeiffer, fulfill a wish of the year, and let Hollywood see that Pfeiffer is not just a seductive pretty face. Annette Bening came out with a few plates.

"What are you thinking about?" Bening put the plates in place, "This is the dish I made when I was a chef on a yacht... I have been thinking about making a table of dishes for my beloved since I was a child." Bening took off her apron and sat next to Ronald, her hands around Ronald, and suddenly a heat came through the thin trousers and T-shirt.

"You really worked as a chef on a ship? That's amazing," Ronald looked at the British bone china on the table, which was shining and looked very good. But the dishes inside...

Although Bening said it very nicely, and played the role of a good wife and mother, which was also very much to Ronald's taste. But the dishes on the plate still exposed her true colors.

Slightly overcooked scrambled eggs, oatmeal toast, tomato sandwiches, and then a large bowl of vegetable salad with "Kraft" classic American salad dressing.

Although it is understandable that actors are not good at cooking, Ronald almost couldn't hold back after bragging about the chef's skills for most of the day. The American simple meal that was made was not sure whether it was breakfast or lunch.

"Of course, I was only fourteen years old that year. I had a friend who took me to learn diving. In order to earn money for diving courses, I worked as a chef on a fishing yacht. It was ten dollars a trip. I became a chef on the third trip. In addition to these, I can also grill and fry steaks. Later, I passed the exam to become a diving instructor and took photos. I earned money to go to college and became an actor I like."

"Try the vegetable salad I made. The fishermen on the boat said it was delicious." Bening used a fork to get a piece and fed it to Ronald.

"Well, do you have olive oil?" Ronald was not very fond of this strong salad dressing. He remembered the way Nora Ephron ate it.

"Yes," Bening twisted in Ronald's arms, and then went to get olive oil.

"Well, it tastes better this way." Ronald added some olive oil, and it really diluted the taste of the salad dressing, and it was a little fragrant.

"When I was in college, I was interested in drama, but there were not many good drama clubs in public universities. It took me a longer time to gain a foothold on Broadway."

Annette Bening talked about her struggle history, and Ronald felt the same way. This woman is very experienced and can always find Ronald's emotional resonance.

"I wonder what project you are preparing now?" Bening asked casually while stroking Ronald's face with her fingers in her arms.

"A story about a southern woman..." Ronald saw Bening's eyes light up, and then slowly said, "There is no role suitable for you."

"Oh?" Bening looked up and smiled, "What play is it?"

"It's the 'Steel Magnolias' that is currently being performed on Broadway, a 'virgin', and four 'moms'." Ronald didn't say the remaining "slut" types, but Bening understood what he meant.

"Hehehe..." Sure enough, Annette Bening understood, her eyes turned into a seductive look, and one hand touched Ronald's waist invitingly.

"Now Hollywood is short of scripts, do you have any favorite roles?" Ronald looked at Bening's mature temptation, which was different from what he had experienced before. His heart was melting.

】

"I like Broadway dramas, and I'm not sure about comedies." Bening felt that it was best for her to start with Broadway adapted movies and make a name for herself. After all, she is not young anymore, and every step cannot be wrong. As she spoke, she slowly rubbed Ronald's shirt.

"Which one do you like?" Ronald was so excited that his whole body burst with heat. Helping this beauty is actually also a way to discover talents for Hollywood.

"Do you know 'Dangerous Liaisons'?" Annette Bening finally said the movie she wanted to act in.

"I persuaded Alan (Rickman) to come to Hollywood..." Ronald kissed Bening.

"Hahaha... you tickled me..." Bening smiled happily. Now she finally has the hope of becoming famous.

"I can't guarantee anything, but you can go meet my agent Niceta, who is from CAA. He should be able to arrange an audition for you. The rest depends on your own efforts."

"Dear... um..." Bening "tried hard" to cater to him.

...

"Woo..." The Ferrari stopped at the door of the hotel where Ronald lived. He stretched his body. When a mature woman is interested, it is also very crazy.

"Mr. Li, Ms. Nora Ephron is waiting for you." The hotel lobby manager saw Ronald coming in and immediately informed him.

"Nora, why are you here?... Let's go to the bar and chat?" Ronald saw Nora Ephron sitting on the sofa opposite. She was carrying a suitcase, as if she had just got off the plane.

"Ronald, is it true that the strike is going to end? We are going to start casting for our movie soon. If the strike ends, it will not be a script shortage, but a star shortage. I have discussed with Rob and I will come to Los Angeles to see you immediately, and he will go to convince Billy Crystal."

"Do you have a female lead candidate?" Ronald ordered a glass of orange juice, drank it in one breath, and then ordered another glass. He explained embarrassedly, "It's easy to get dehydrated in California in the spring...."

"Huh...", Nora Ephron sniffed a few times, "The most suitable candidate is Michelle Pfeiffer."

"Her again? Why?" Ronald was a little overwhelmed. The concentration of female stars is more terrible than that of male stars. Although there are more female stars than male stars, at a certain moment, Hollywood often only thinks of two or three candidates for the female lead.

"This is a very artistic young woman. Pfeiffer's gentle appearance and strong inner strength are the most suitable." Nora Ephron looked at Ronald in confusion, "Do you have any other suitable candidates?"

"Hmm..." Ronald thought for a long time. It is true that Pfeiffer is more suitable for this kind of artistic heroine.

"How about Helen Slater?" Ronald thought about it. This kind of role is immature and full of fantasies about life learned from books. It seems that Helen is the closest to this role.

"She?" Nora Ephron thought for a while, "She lacks a kind of enthusiasm that makes people feel real. Although the heroine is naive, she is full of expectations for romance. Helen is a cold beauty."

Ronald touched his lips. Isn't naivety a suitable type? He was about to ask Diane if it was suitable. She played the kind of literary and twisted type. I have never seen her play it.

"Let her audition?" Nora Ephron felt it was not good to refute Ronald's face.

"I'll call Michelle Pfeiffer's agent Limato. If she is interested, it will be easier for us distributors. You are right, we should strike first."

...

Pfeiffer's agent Limato called soon after and made an appointment to visit Ronald. The two exchanged greetings and sat down again.

"I have two scripts here, both of which are very suitable for Pfeiffer. Do you want to take a look and see which one is more suitable for her? She is also willing to act." Ronald got straight to the point.

"Ha, the Broadway adaptation of Steel Magnolias, I know this play is very suitable for Pfeiffer. This one is also good, it is obviously a New York style script."

Limato is now in front of Ronald, and he has to be very skillful when he says something to refute his opponent's face. He first praised Ronald's vision and was still thinking about how to refuse.

"Both scripts are very suitable for Pfeiffer. Which one do you think is more suitable for her?... Well, or which one is she willing to star in?"

Ronald found that Limato's face was not very good, and thought that he was abrupt. Pfeiffer is now a popular star, and she can't take any play. Limato may not have such a big influence on her.

Limato heard Ronald's polite words, his hands trembled, and his heart was startled. He suddenly figured it out. For a director like Ronald, everything is better to be said openly. He always overlapped him with the fledgling screenwriter seven or eight years ago. For people of this status, it is best not to deceive them.

"I think Pfeiffer will like it. She always wants to work with you once. But now, you may need to arrange your schedule. She has recently planned to take on another Broadway adaptation movie, which may be very urgent to shoot."

"Has anyone taken the lead?" Ronald sighed. He still has no experience. Look at others. As soon as they see the slightest movement in the union, they will start immediately.

"Not like that. This matter started long before the writers' union resumed negotiations. You know that for those scripts that have already been formed, the union has exemptions. That's why ready-made Broadway scripts are so popular."

"Ok, let's take a look. Can you show the script to Pfeiffer? Let's find a time to talk."

"Of course," Limato took the script respectfully and put it in his briefcase.

"What movie did she take?" Ronald asked casually. He wanted to estimate Michelle Pfeiffer's schedule. If it was an action movie, it would take a long time to shoot.

"Do you know 'Dangerous Liaisons'? It's a touring play from London's West End. It was performed in New York last year and was well received." Limato was afraid that Ronald didn't know about this kind of classical drama, so he explained immediately.

"I asked Alan Rickman to play Die Hard." Ronald waved his hand. He had made too many commercial films, so why did everyone think he was uneducated and didn't understand Broadway.

"Then I'm relieved. You know that costume films take a little longer to shoot. I'll go talk to Michelle. She will definitely like your script..." Limato patted his briefcase and stood up.

"Don't forget to arrange a meeting." Ronald stood up and shook hands with him.

"It seems that everyone is moving quickly. We at Daydream also need to speed up the release of videotapes. It's best to be on the market before the strike ends. Don't worry too much about the production costs." Ronald sent Limato away and quickly called Daydream's videotape department.